If you’re looking for ideas on where you can expand your career or if you’re an undergraduate waiting to kick off a career, a look at the Critical Occupations List 2018/2019 could help you uncover where your opportunities lie.

There are many reasons why employers find some jobs more difficult to fill than others. These reasons range from candidates not having the right skills to do the job to the lack of new graduates in the profession. A surge in growth in a particular industry can also cause a big gap which employers scramble to fill.

While employment experts analyse high-demand jobs to understand hiring trends, and country leaders make plans about human capital development policies according to these changes, students like you can use data on careers in demand to explore career options.

The Critical Occupations List (COL) shows occupations that are skilled, sought-after, and strategic across 18 sectors in Malaysia. The COL identifies shortages in occupations that are high in demand by employers. Here’s your chance to figure out how to increase your chances of getting hired. First, explore the jobs on the COL list, then match the jobs that match best with your skills, education and experience.

In the 2018/2019 list, a total of 59 skilled occupations were identified.

1. Managing Director and Chief Executive
2. Finance Manager
3. Human Resource Manager
4. Policy and Planning Manager
5. Business Service Manager
6. Business Services and Administration Manager Not Elsewhere Classified
7. Sales and Marketing Manager
8. Advertising and Public Relations Manager
9. Research and Development Manager
10. Manufacturing Manager
11. Construction Manager
12. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Manager
13. Chemist
14. Geologist and Geophysicist
15. Mathematician, Actuary and Statistician
16. Industrial and Production Engineer
17. Civil Engineer
18. Mechanical Engineer
19. Chemical Engineer
20. Mining Engineer, Metallurgist and Related Professional
21. Engineering Professional (Excluding Electrotechnology) Not Elsewhere Classified
22. Electrical Engineer
23. Electronic Engineer
24. Graphic and Multimedia Designer
25. Aircraft Pilot and Related Professional
26. Manufacturing Professional
27. Environmental and Occupational Health and Hygiene Professional
28. University and Higher Education Professional Teacher
29. Early Childhood Educator
30. Accountant
31. Financial and Investment Adviser
32. Financial Analyst
33. Advertising and Marketing Professional
34. Systems Analyst
35. Software Developer
36. Applications Programmer
37. Software and Applications Developer and Analyst Not Elsewhere Classified
38. Systems Administrator
39. Computer Network Professional
40. Database and Network Professional Not Elsewhere Classified
41. Civil Engineering Technician
42. Electrical Engineering Technician
43. Mechanical Engineering Technician
44. Physical and Engineering Science Technician Not Elsewhere Classified
45. Manufacturing Supervisor
46. Others Supervisor Not Elsewhere Classified
47. Commercial Sales Agent
48. Chef
49. Receptionist
50. Welder and Flame Cutter
51. Agricultural and Industrial Machinery Mechanic and Repairer
52. Electrical Mechanic and Fitter
53. Bakers, Pastry, Pasta and Confectionery Maker
54. Tailor, Dressmaker, Furrier and Hatter
55. Rubber Products Machine Operator
56. Steam Engine and Boiler Operator
57. Stationary Plant and Machine Operator Not Elsewhere Classified
58. Heavy Truck and Lorry Driver
59. Mobile Farm and Forestry Plant Operator

Hang on, we’ve got more information for you. The COL was first put together in 2015/2016 and these are the occupations that have appeared in every COL.

1. Finance Manager
2. Policy and Planning Managers
3. Business Services Managers
4. Research and Development Managers
5. Information and Communications Technology Managers
6. Geologists and Geophysicists
7. Mathematicians, Actuaries and Statisticians
8. Industrial and Production Engineers
9. Mechanical Engineers
10. Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Related Professionals
11. Engineering Professionals (Excluding Electrotechnology) Not Elsewhere Classified
12. Electrical Engineers
13. Electronic Engineers
14. Manufacturing Professionals
15. Accountant and Auditor
16. Financial Analysts
17. Systems Analysts
18. Software Developers
19. Applications Programmers
20. Software and Applications Developers and Analysts Not Elsewhere Classified
21. Systems Administrators
22. Computer Network Professionals
23. Mechanical Engineering Technicians

In the COL 2018/2019, these 10 occupations made it to the list for the very first time.

1. Early Childhood Educators
2. Civil Engineering Technicians
3. Other Supervisor Not Elsewhere Classified
4. Chefs
5. Receptionists
6. Welders and Flame Cutters
7. Bakers, Pastry, Pasta and Confectionery Makers
8. Tailors, Dressmakers, Furriers and Hatters
9. Steam Engine and Boiler Operators
10. Mobile Farm and Forestry Plant Operators

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